Succulent centerpieces: Simple, fresh, unique, lasting!
Are you planning a wedding or big event? No doubt you’ve thought about the decorative elements that will create the look you want. Or, maybe you’ve gone a step further? As in you’ve talked the subject to death and obsessed over decorations so much that none of your friends wants to see you till after said special event is over! I know, you’d never be that person. Still, if you have party décor on the brain lately, let’s talk centerpieces! They’re the easiest way to add color and interest to a roomful of tables, even if your “room” is outside. Speaking of outside, consider taking inspiration from the garden and bringing it to the table. For something unexpected, might I suggest succulent centerpieces? They’re a little edgy, slightly hipster, definitely not your typical lilies & roses arrangement!
Give your tables a modern, artistic look!
I love it when clients want something that’s unusual and out of the box! When it’s a wedding, it’s especially fun to create a setting that reflects the couple’s quirky taste and personality. After all, it’s their day, so why should it look like their parents hired the florist and did the decorating?
The photos we featured this week were from a fall wedding. The bride wanted an artsy, almost industrial look for the tables, so she opted for a combo of stainless steel, wood, metal and stone. We brought these various materials and surfaces together with beautiful succulent centerpieces, each one unique. Some were in boxes, some in pots, others in metal cages and spheres. Instead of using numbers to designate each table, we hand-lettered a street name significant to them and their relationship on smooth pieces of agate.
The whole combination of elements gave each table its own beautiful still life. Delicate, soft moss next to the succulents’ varied shapes and colors; curvy metal accent pieces and the agate’s warm earth tones all contrasted with the stainless steel and dark wood surfaces for a grouping of modern tablescapes that I doubt guests had seen before. It was a look that truly reflected the couple’s artistic sensibilities. And as a bonus, Mom’s florist got the day off!
Make ahead, enjoy later. Just like a casserole!
The great thing about succulent centerpieces — if you’re willing to do some of the “dirty” work — is that you can make them yourself, an especially handy saving for those keeping a tight rein on their budget. Use containers from the thrift store, a yard sale, the back of your cupboard, your grandma’s cupboard, wherever. Add some DIY action and you, too, can get this look. Then, be your own florist as you discover your talent for re-potting and working with moss and dirt. It’s not that hard, and might even feel therapeutic!
You can make succulent centerpieces as far in advance as you want. As long as you give them a little TLC, they’ll still look great on your big day. These arrangements work on so many types of tables, too: spacious or cozy, round or long, sit-down or my favorite… the cocktail table! And what do you do with them when the event is over? Turn them into party favors! Send them home as gifts so your guests have a keepsake to remember your super fab wedding or other big event!
Where to find The Party Goddess! ideas galore?
If you’ve been one of my loyal blog followers, you know that we publish these image roundups weekly. We feature a particular event for a particular client so you can go deep on the particular theme. If you know what’s up, skip this part. New visitors, take a look below…
In case you missed it, here’s what we’re doing, mentioned in the first blog. (And if you already know what’s going on, skip to the first photo!) Every day we’re posting event photos & inspiration to my Instagram page to give you ideas for your own events. And, of course, to encourage you to hire yours truly, event coordinator extraordinaire, for your next soirée! In terms of format, we’re trying to capitalize on the whole hashtag calendar world and take advantage of #WeddingWednesday (#WW) and #ThrowbackThursday (#TBT) by posting wedding photos and cool stuff we’ve done on Wednesdays and on Thursdays, harkening back to a past client’s event, be it a celebrity, or just one of us tastemakers.
Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Monday:
Planning an event where you’d like to showcase your creative, green side? Hoping to stimulate water conservation and interesting conversation at the same time? Well, time to break free from floral tradition and do something different! Forget all those water-sucking flowers and go for succulent centerpieces instead. They’re both green (literally) and green (figuratively). OK… maybe that was a little much. But you see where I’m going with this, right?
Want edgy, artistic touches? The interlocking metal rings in this pic form an ornamental garden sphere scaled perfectly for tabletop use — and now it’s probably being re-purposed as an objet d’art in some lucky guest’s home. The table marker is hand-lettered on beautiful quartz agate for a personal touch. And don’t the succulents look lovely and, well, green?!
Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Tuesday:
Look how simple and striking this arrangement is! Succulent centerpieces in plain wooden boxes like this one can create quite a focal point, allowing guests to study the interesting shapes and colors of these flower-like plants (which is great in case there’s a lull in the conversation). I just loved how this unpretentious centerpiece commanded so much attention!
Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Wednesday:
This hanging ornament at a fall wedding mirrored the table arrangements perfectly. Succulent centerpieces shared table space with metal decorative shapes, agate crystal table markers and re-purposed containers. The look was creative, bold and different! I wonder if this ornament made it onto someone’s tree this past Christmas? Happy #WeddingWednesday!
Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Thursday:
“Where’d you two meet? Where was your first date? Where’s your favorite restaurant?” Any couple getting married has probably fielded answers to these FAQs at many a meet & greet–type party with their beloved’s family and friends. Do like this couple did and turn those answers into fun conversation-starting table markers! (Maybe they met on Orange Grove Blvd. the night before the Rose Parade?) Pair those personalized markers with simple succulent centerpieces in rustic pails and wooden boxes and you’ll have a unique tabletop that tells the story of the two of you! #TBT!
Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Friday:
Shiny stainless steel is a bold tabletop choice for a wedding. Not because it’s not stunning — it is! — but because it’s not really done. You know, done, as in “That’s just not done, dear,” (said with a very movie-like fake posh accent). That is, until now! Welcome to today, where stainless steel, succulent centerpieces, two grooms or however else you imagine your wedding IS done — and done well! So there. Take that, 1989!
Favorite Event Photos and Inspiration – Saturday:
This week’s photos were all about being unique, simple and different. I’ve been loving these succulent centerpieces all over again and have been inspired by the creativity that went into making them. Items were re-purposed, re-fashioned, given new life and made into concise, contrasting displays of art that adorned each table. The look was entirely original, personal and beautiful. I hope you enjoyed these photos and felt inspired!
Event Photos and Inspiration – Plus, tell me what else you want to see on the blog!
So, what do you think of our succulent centerpieces? Which is your fave? Let me know in the comments below!
And because we love that you love parties, we’re giving this away for FREE! It’s our Super Secret Party Tips Guide that has tons of useful tips for fetes of every shape and size. Check it out!
xoxo M
P.S. If you’re anything like me and you can’t get enough succulent ideas, check out: Succulents In A Teacup!, Succulents…All The Rage and DIY Champagne Cork Succulents. You can find more interesting blogs and images on our website, or just contact us to book your next event! And if you like this blog, would you be so kind as to share it with a friend?
Want to See More of Our Event Photo Weekly Roundups to Get Tons of Ideas?
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Current Wedding Trends From Top Event Planners!
Why Not Roll 3 Party Theme Ideas Into 1 Event!
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